“It was a very painful journey but the single most important thing I have ever done.”

Claire’s Story

The Freedom Programme to me has saved my life.

When I initially found out about the freedom program I was in a very bad place.
I had just realised my relationship wasn’t normal and I was experiencing domestic abuse. There is a lot of practical help out there but what I really needed was help mentally because I was mentally broken I had lost all confidence I was extremely anxious and constantly nervous my life was awful I had nothing to look forward to and no prospects I had completely withdrawn I had cut myself of from my friends and all the relationships I had My relationships with my children were broken because I was miserable all the time and at real low points just wanted to end it all. The only thing stopping me were the kids.

One of the worse things he used to do was to get me to watch him cut himself or I would spend hours trying to talk him out of hurting himself. God, I had no idea he was doing this to control me, make me feel sorry for him. He wandered about in shorts and no t-shirt showing his scars in front of the kids. They are still young but are freaked out by the scars and are terrified their dad is going to kill himself. They don’t tell him how they feel, just me. I deal with his actions or I should say inactions. Because of the Freedom Programme I’ll answer them more honestly when they ask about their dad. I believe now that they should know more about their dad’s behaviour.

No-one understood me or what I was going through but even I didn’t understand what I was going through. I felt like a fraud because there wasn’t a lot of physical violence, it was mostly mental abuse, but it was ruining my life just the same. Then I found out about the Freedom Programme and for the first time felt truly validated they understood and helped me to understand.

It was a very painful journey but the single most important thing I have ever done I can honestly say I am happy and content I have found myself and have started to heal. My anxiety has gotten better and I have gotten back my self-respect and self-esteem. For the first time in a long time I have real prospects in life I am going to college and loving meeting new people. I have started to mend friendships and other relationships and my kids are so much happier. What I have gained from this course is invaluable I only wish I had found it a long time ago.

Book a Course

The 12 week course is for any woman interested in learning more about the effects of domestic abuse and, in particular for women who experience/ have experienced domestic abuse.